"Cradle to Cradle" and the Toxins Inside of It

Upon picking up the book “Cradle to Cradle”, one can’t help but notice that this book is different from others. The pages have a different weight, texture, sheen, even smell (I had to check). The introduction of the book explains that it is not printed on paper but on plastic resins. This enables the book to be waterproof, durable, and recyclable. Are books like these more sustainable? The authors believe that a tree “is not a fitting resource to use in producing so humble and transient a substance as paper.” Will we be better off with plastic books, or will this be a problem in the future?

The authors, William McDonough and Michael Braungart talk about off gassing and the presence of toxins in many items we come into contact with everyday. I am familiar with this because of research I completed when shopping for my first mattress. When people shop for mattress most think about size and firmness. Many fail to realize the amount of toxic substances in the foam and covering. These toxins are released by off gassing and are inhaled by the people sleeping on said mattress. Now one can avoid this problem by buying a mattress from a company like Hastens which uses all organic products like horsehair, cotton, and wool, but this comes at a price. A Hastens bed costs anywhere from $4,500 to $60,000. That being said, I am currently breathing in toxins every night.

The reading from last class dealt with GDP and how it wasn’t a good indicator of economic growth as it accounted for all growth either positive or negative. We can’t honestly look at an increase in revenue from a mattress plant and an increase in revenue from a cancer center and call it progress. If we look at the mattress example, we can see just how expensive it is to be environmentally friendly. We have to look at these costs and ask ourselves “What is the best choice for the long term?”. Too frequently we forget to think about the long term effects of our choices. Someone may be ok with buying a pair of shoes dyed with heavy metals, but would they buy them for their children?